I don't think Karlsson will have a set partner all season long unless something really sticks in the course of the season. Claesson may be the default, but I would also expect Phaneuf to play there in key moments (for better or worse), Chabot at times if/when he's settled into the NHL, and Oduya as an insurance policy for the above, with enough skating ability to keep up.

As well as Claesson played at times during the playoffs, he's only got half a season of experience and doesn't have Methot's mobility, so it's highly unlikely that he sticks with Karlsson all season. If he falters, Oduya can step in as the default with Phaneuf/Chabot as offensive or defensive surge capacity at times.

One player whose situation is most affected by Oduya's arrival might be Harpur. The left side is all of a sudden quite congested, assuming Boro holds on as a role player and Chabot plays at least the majority of the year in the NHL. That almost takes Harpur out of the left side discussion all together, leaving him only competing with Wideman on the right side (as Dorion has repeatedly noted Harpur's ability to play both sides). Looks like the big guy will be in Belleville much of the year.

I'm gonna be really bummed if Chabot doesn't get a shot at playing on the 1st pairing with Karlsson. I really enjoyed the time Erik spent with Methot, a big guy who is never out of position, but the ideal partner for Karlsson is another fast skater. Chabot is easy insurance against the constant double-teaming of Karlsson that we saw so often during the playoffs. As a matter of fact, Karlsson is the only defensive partner brilliant enough to cover for Chabot's many defensive liabilities.

I'm not interested in finishing third in the Atlantic yet again. Outside of Tampa, there's no team in the Atlantic that should have have us looking over our shoulder.

Claesson is good, don't get me wrong, but to have him pencilled in right away as Methot's full-time replacement is just setting yourself up for disappointment. As for Phaneuf, it would be difficult to take him off the second pairing as that's the lone role he's only really thrived in for basically the last 8 years.

Ottawa's best jersey was the black one in '97. The one with the black numbers on the red/white armbands.

Not that I could give 2 fucks about some centurion, honestly. It probably should have been the ≡O≡ & the barberpole from the very start. Our Sens were named after an old hockey team, which from a modern viewpoint has very little to do with golden helmets or flashy red capes.

Would you do it? They seem to be suggesting Chabot, White and a 1st (+?) for Tavares.

No. The Sens can't afford Tavares and the rest of the roster. If we're going to trade anything for him it should be valuable players already on their second or later contract. Ceci? Turris? Hoffman? Stuff like that. If they include one of the three things you listed then OK. As long as it isn't Chabot.